FALL WISHLIST

The holiday/shopping season is fast approaching and we have to prioritize ladies! I am still compiling my wishlist but I'm so excited about it that I absolutely have to share it with y'all. 

Here are my top five things I definitely want to acquire by the end of the year:

1. GiGi New York Uber Clutch

I think the later it gets in the day, the less you want to carry around a full handbag. There are days when I just want to grab something small with my phone and keys and go. that's it - no fuss. I want it to be good quality where it won't fall apart and for it to still look professional. 

I like these Uber Clutches by GiGi New York because they're gorgeous to look at, are real leather, lightweight and I can get my initials engraved. Choose from various colours and various leathers but get the same result-a  gorgeous, quality, luxury piece.

2. Cool- Girl Jewellery by Namesake JM

Grand Pearl by Namesake JM

A unique piece of jewellery elevates your outfit in a way that nothing else can. This Fall I'm going for chic pieces that can be worn to make casual outfits look more sophisticated and formal outfits look more modern and youthful. I like this piece in particular because it's unexpected but still looks slightly vintage.

3. The Ultimate Red Lippie

picture taken from Violet Grey

There is something about a red pout that is feminine and powerful. I was going through Violet Grey's instagram feed when I spotted this and fell in love. I immediately looked it up and it is called 'Brat Pack' by Lipstick Queen and is listed at $50USD (sigh) so, much to my dismay I stopped myself from ordering it immediately. But I mean...I WILL have this by the end of the year because look at it. Beyond gorgeous! Ugh!

4. Luxe Sleepwear

                                                  

You might be wondering how I'm gonna keep warm in something like this at night. Well, I live in the Caribbean and it doesn't really get cold here. When I spotted this line I knew I had to have it. Luxurious material meant to actually be comfortable and sexy. It's a blend of jersey and silk which will wear well in both the dryer and the washing machine. Watch this space for more information on how you can get your hands on this gorgeous line.

5. Travelling Essential

                          

Travelling during the holidays can be a ridiculous hassle especially now. I generally feel less stressed when everything I've packed is organized and I can easily reach for what I want. These gorgeous leather pochette will be available for the rest of the year from Namesake JM. You can fill this pochette with up to 7 items and no less than 3 items at reduced prices that will make your holiday that much merrier. It will make shopping for your family a breeze - one bag can take care of everyone. Watch this space for more information very soon!

What is on your wishlist this season? Share below in the comments section for a chance to win a coupon from Namesake JM today only!

Till later!

*Jane

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Get Ready For Fall in Five Easy Steps

Fall is around the corner, and while some are clinging to the last few days of summer I literally sighed in relief when I painted on my first dark polish for the season. There's just something about Fall that makes me happy. I love the layering, the beautiful jewel-toned clothing and accessories, the excitement from NYFW, and the jackets. I LOVE the jackets.

I thought it might be useful to help y'all move on from the end of summer by sharing 5 tips on how to get ready for Fall. Just in case you know, it snuck up on you.

1. Get Your 2015 Planner

In the business world we've already begun planning for 2015. Instead of trying to scribble in your important meetings and events for next year into the super tiny section of your 2014 planner, upgrade to a new 2015 one in a style that screams chic, organized and elegant. 

I am in lust with the new planners from GiGi New York. They are available in a bunch of colours and finishes including traditional leather, embossed python, crocodile embossed leather and metallic leather. You can see more here.  While you're at it, you can get it personalized too! Writing your own name just doesn't do it anymore right?

2. Switch out Your NailPolish

Fall calls for richer tones so switch out your neons for jewel-toned colours. One of the hot colours for this summer was white; to transition this for Fall you can go for creamier whites or buff nudes. These colours look better on medium length 'squoval' nails so file down your talons and remind yourself of what it was like to actually type with your fingers.

Image Source

3. Go Matte

Summer calls for shinier finishes but Fall calls for deeper, more matte hues. You will see darker lips and eyes in the magazines signalling you to put away your lipgloss and reach for your matte lip colours. I am personally a fan of super dark reds like L'OReal's Infallible Lip Colour in Persistent Plum.

4. Layer Up

The heat is off so by all means pile on your jewellery. Layers create texture and interest and something that was once ordinary suddenly becomes more special. I love layering because I feel like it marries my different styles all together. There are rules to layering if you want it to look effortless. With jewellery, I go with delicate pieces that pair well together. I also really like mixing metals - gold and copper finishes and rose gold are an unpredictable mix. If you are looking for delicate pieces you can check out my online store here

5. Get The Right Bag

A great bag does great things for your confidence. Even though you might be tempted to buy a super trendy cheap bag or, an expensive branded bag I guarantee you that if you get a good quality leather bag, that has small or no branding  it will be stylish for years.  Get yours here

What are you excited about for Fall?

till later,

*Jane

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Spring Fashion : Oh So Minty

Mint is in - still. If you have yet to hop on this trend here are three simple ways to incorporate this universally flattering colour into your wardrobe.

Casual

Update this popular pastel by pairing it with graphic prints this season. An aztec print like the one in this picture is flattering and summery and lets the mint shorts work as a neutral in this outfit. This is perfect for you ladies that prefer a more muted take on a colourful look.

Top: Macy's

Shorts: New Kingston Shopping Centre

Belt : Forever 21

Shoes : Sperry Top Siders get yours here

Shades: Aviators - Body Glove

Necklace : Claires

Work Wear

You can wear this colour to work especially if you have a piece in a button up or blouse-y style. This mint piece has subtle polka dots and is on the sheer side, which means wearing a flesh-coloured slip or tank underneath to keep things office-appropriate. A bold print like the zebra print here will perk things up while a grey plaid pencil skirt is chic and sophisticated.The studs on the collar are minimal and not spiky so they don't draw too much attention but still add some edge. The metallic mint caps on the pumps mirror the studs on the collar for a cohesive look.

Top: New Kingston Shopping Centre

Zebra Skirt: Marshalls get similar here

Grey plaid skirt: Marks & Spencers get similar here

Pumps: House of Jade Fashion Boutique

Necklace: Namesake JM

Date Night

A lace mint dress screams flirty and girly. Give it some grungy sex appeal by pairing it with a waist-nipping printed jacket, an unusual chunky piece of jewellery and high strappy sandals in shiny patent leather. I like this look because the silhouette is familiar and feminine which is important on a date (men are confused by more fashion-forward silhouettes - they want to know you have curves) but the pieces aren't necessarily what you would grab for first. The tribal vibe of the necklace goes well with the houndstooth print of the jacket because of the similar colours. The black and white are a bold contrast to the pastel but it still works.The deep v-neck of the dress keeps the look from being too bulky and the heels make everything sexier.

Dress: Macys get similar here

Jacket : vintage

Heels : Steve Madden

Necklace: gifted

Clutch : thrifted

Are you into the mint trend? How are you styling your pieces for this spring/summer season? Leave me a comment and let me know.

Peace out lovelies

*Jane

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Trends to Leave Behind in 2013

Happy New Year Lovelies!!!

I hope you all embrace this year with excitement, faith and hope and that you get the chance to step out of your comfort zone and try something new at least once. As I say goodbye to 2013 there are some trends that I will be glad to see gone.

Here are a five trends I'm ready to leave behind in 2013:

1. The High- low Trend

source

This was not something I tried myself because I didn't find a skirt or a dress that was flattering enough and at a price that I was willing to spend. I knew in the back of my mind that this would not last very long and wouldn't be recycled in the next few years to come. If you invested in this trend then try your hand at converting your high-low dress or skirt into a mini to get more wear out of it in 2014. Dresses and skirts on the 2014 runway are trending toward the midi length which is midway between your knees and your calves.You can try this in a sleeker style with a pencil skirt or with a full skirt (think Grease the movie).

     2. Cut-Outs 

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There were sexy cut outs and then there were those awkward cut outs where you saw more of someone's body than you ever thought you would like to remember. While I enjoyed this all throughout summer, I'm glad it's slowly being phased out and we can get back to beautifully constructed full-bodied dresses. 

     3. Daytime Pajamas

source

This was a difficult trend to pull off if you went head to toe. Wearing a pajama style silk/satin shirt or pants was easier to pull off if they were worn separately with dark jeans or a chambray top and heels. Ditch the pajama bottoms but you can get more wear out of the tops but cuffing the sleeves and tucking it into a pencil skirt or printed shorts for a more modern look.

     4. Giant Floral Print

source

Florals came back in a big way in 2013 and a lot of women scooped up this trend in the two piece style. Spring is coming around again and you can expect florals to re-emerge but in a subtler, hazier way. Break up your two-piece and wear one piece at a time. Try a floral top with solid- coloured tailored cropped pants and your a-line skirt with a trendy scuba jacket and a scoop neck shirt for 2014.

     5. Wedge Sneaker

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This was the ballet flat of 2013. It married style and comfort and rode the punk trend all the way through from 2012 onwards. The look going into 2014 is daintier and more ladylike with strappy sandals, kitten heels and ballet flats with ankle straps. A comfortable sneaker will always be useful though so don't toss it quite yet just put it to the back of your closet.

What are you happy to get rid of in 2014 and what trend are you most excited to try? 

Till later lovelies,

**Jane

P.S: I am working on writing a book over the next couple months so I will be scheduling posts for at least three times a week. If you have a question then contact me on Twitter or on Facebook.

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100 Posts!! Thank You & a Giveaway!!!

Today I've arrived at a milestone with this blog - today will be my 100th post! I have so many people to thank for their unfailing support throughout the years. I decided to start this blog back in 2007 when I was reading over 20 blogs daily and becoming super saturated with inspiration and needed to find an outlet. For the last two years though I've really dug into it and started becoming a tad more disciplined and consistent with writing and posting.

I remember the first time I told someone I had a blog. It was a semi-breakthrough. I've been writing since I was six, in the back of my exercise books, on scrap papers everywhere but never quite sharing with anyone what I was scribbling away about. This blog has provided me with an outlet that allowed me to talk about things that most of my friends never really cared about, and making me reach out to people who had the same questions I did without ever meeting them. It was recently when I noticed that more than half my conversations with people online and via messaging services were about one or another of my posts that I had finally created a space where I could engage others in things they would have otherwise spent time googling or asking a clueless boyfriend. I love this! And as Jamaica grows more conscious and aware of beauty and the art of being polished I hope I can continue to have a space where all this can be discussed without fear of judgment or critique.

Now, let me move on before I turn this into a novel. I want to thank each and every person that has taken the time to read my posts - whether you came here looking for a single post or if you've been reading from the start. You may notice that some posts are gone and others have been edited. As I continue to try to improve the blog there will be changes but the purpose of the blog will never change.

I must give a special shout out to the following persons who have not only stuck with me on this journey but have literally pulled me along the path when I was feeling uninspired or lazy:
 - Tea - for always always checking to see that I was putting out new content and recognizing the effort when I put extra work into a post. I love you for your unfailing support
- Ollie - for seriously being the first guy not to roll his eyes when I told you that I had written a post for guys on my beauty and style blog and for reading every male post and barraging me with questions and ideas every time
- Leah bear - for trying a lot of the diys - you're a peach!
- Trudz - for encouraging me to make this most recent step and taking this leap of faith. Your encouragement seriously meant a lot to me.
- Wubz - I could be writing about sniffing paper and I know you would support me. Thanks for the ever present support.

To all my other friends and family who have tolerated, humored and supported me. I'm indebted you and inspired by your encouragement - thank you mucho!!

Now....

I will be giving away to the winner one of two prizes. 

If you are female then you will receive:

A makeup bag stocked with my all-time favourite makeup products :

Maybelline Colossal Volume Mascara, L'Oreal True Match Blush, Revlon Kissable Lip Balm Stain, Maybelline Unstoppable Liner, Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream. (The blush, stain and bb cream will be in your shade and will be purchased after the winner has been identified.)

If you are male you will receive :

A $5000 gift Certificate to Totally Male to be pampered and polished for the day in the privacy of one of the best spas in Jamaica. Work out those sore muscles from your last game with a massage or get a facial and finally get rid of those ingrown hairs and bumps before taking a special lady out to dinner. 

The rules are:

1. You must be subscribed to/following my blog. You can follow two ways - you can either follow me on bloglovin' by clicking that picture of the woman in the top right section of this page OR scroll down a few from that and in the right column you will see a blue button that says 'Join this Site'.
2. You must like my page on Facebook. To get to that page click here.
3. You need to be over the age of 18 and living in Jamaica with a post office that you can get to or have an address that the mail man delivers items to your gate.
4. Leave me a comment on this post saying "#janekoysen100" to be counted towards to the contest

(Terms & Conditions

If the items mentioned are not available at the end date of the contest in Jamaica, the items will be substituted for other similar items of equal value totaling no more than $6000 JMD. The writer herein therefore makes no guarantee for the specifically named items. In the event that the writer herein dies or is injured before the end of the contest no claims can be made against the writer or her estate for the above-mentioned prizes. Please note that there is no fee required to enter this contest and the only person authorized to conduct this contest is the writer herein. I am not affiliated with any scammers, or telemarketers and this contest is not a raffle or other game as defined by the Gaming and Lotteries Commission.

All information shared on this blog is kept and tracked by Google and is therefore subject to their privacy terms and conditions that the writer herein cannot be held liable or responsible for any information submitted by others on this blog.)

That's it!

For extra entries and to increase your chances of winning you can :

• share this post on Twitter with the hashtag - #janekoysen100
• share a picture from this post on Instagram with the hashtag - #janekoysen100
• share the link to this post on Facebook from my Facebook page with the hashtag #janekoysen100 (so I can find it)

* Also !!! The person with the most shares will win a surprise treat separate from the winner of the giveaway*

THE GIVEAWAY WILL END ON DECEMBER 18, 2013 AT MIDNIGHT - JAMAICAN TIME

Again lovelies, thank you so much for coming here and letting me share my passion with you. Best wishes !

*Jane

NB: I am not sponsored by or affiliated with any of the brands mentioned - I am just a mere fan and all items will be purchased with my own money.

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